Thiruvananthapuram Metro project to become reality, total of 27 stations; cabinet approves first-phase alignment

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Metro project is moving closer to a reality to boost development in the capital city. The cabinet has approved the first-phase alignment of the project. The metro line from Pappanamcode to Eanchakkal will have 27 stations and a total length of 31 kilometres. The first-phase alignment, which has been approved, will connect Technopark’s three phases, the airport, Thampanoor bus stand, the railway station, the Secretariat, and the Medical College. Starting from Pappanamcode, the metro will pass through Killippalam, Palayam, Sreekaryam, Kazhakoottam, Technopark, Kochuveli, and the airport, and will end at Enchakkal. Kazhakoottam, Technopark, and Karyavattom will serve as interchange stations. The project will be implemented through Kochi Metro Rail Limited.

Construction of the state's second metro rail is expected to commence this year itself. As part of the preparations, the construction of flyovers at Sreekaryam, Ulloor and Pattom had been assigned to Kochi Metrol Rail Limited. The construction of the Sreekaryam flyover is currently progressing.

Earlier, reports had said that the final alignment of the Thiruvananthapuram Metro would be approved by the state government by the end of this month. KMRL Managing Director Loknath Behera said that KMRL had already submitted several alignment proposals. The government also has the proposals prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. “All these suggestions are purely technical. The government will study them and choose the most suitable one. This is expected to be completed by the end of the month,” Behera said earlier.

Once the alignment is approved by the state government, it will be sent to the Centre. The project cost will be shared in the ratio of 20:20:60. The central and state governments will contribute 20 per cent each, and the remaining 60 per cent will be arranged as a loan from an approved agency.